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Mastacembelus shiranus

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA ACTINOPTERYGII SYNBRANCHIFORMES MASTACEMBELIDAE

Scientific Name: Mastacembelus shiranus
Species Authority: (Günther, 1896)
Common Name/s:
English Malawi Spinyeel
Taxonomic Notes: Vreven (accepted) placed the African genera Caecomastecembelus and Aethiomastacembelus in synonymy with Mastacembelus.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern     ver 3.1
Year Published: 2006
Assessor/s: Kazembe, J. & Vreven, E.
Reviewer/s: Snoeks, J. (Freshwater Fish Red List Authority) & Darwall, W. (Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Programme)
Justification:
Endemic to Malawi, Lake Malombe and the Lower Shire River where it is widespread and has no known widespread major threats.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: Endemic to Lake Malawi and its catchment, the upper and lower Shire and Lake Malombe.
Countries:
Native:
Malawi; Mozambique; Tanzania, United Republic of
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population: A common species.
Population Trend: Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: Mainly occurs in shallow water. Observed in rocky habitats but most individuals are caught in sandy areas. Also occurs among macrophytes in lower courses of rivers. Probably feeds on invertebrates and small fishes. This species has also been observed under the shelter of floating islands in Lake Malawi. These islands may assist in the dispersal of this species in the lake.
Systems: Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): No information available.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: None known.
Citation: Kazembe, J. & Vreven, E. 2006. Mastacembelus shiranus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2012.
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